Many people fear the idea of having to travel in close proximity to 18-wheelers. Trucks are more dangerous than cars based on the massive size differential. Commercial trucks can weigh more than 80,000 pounds while a normal car usually weighs somewhere around 4,000 pounds. Their reputation for resulting in enormous and extensive damage to smaller vehicles certainly supports a desire to stay as far away from them as possible on the roadway.
Despite best efforts to avoid close contact, accidents involving large trucks are frighteningly common. In fact, in 2021 alone, more than half a million large trucks were involved in police-reported traffic crashes nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Causes of commercial trucking accidents are often attributable to:
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Inadequate training and experience
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Fatigue due to working long hours
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Weather conditions
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Inattention or distraction
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Alcohol consumption
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Tire blowout
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Misloaded cargo
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Mechanical failures/defect
Truck accidents are serious as they often result in long lasting, severe physical injuries or death. These accidents can result in lifelong medical expenses, pain and suffering, life-altering injuries, and an inability to work and earn a suitable living.
Being able to determine the cause of a truck accident can require knowledge of both state and federal regulations, a thorough review of various company records and driver logs, and expert opinions from an accident reconstructionist. For those reasons, it can be extremely important and beneficial for you to immediately contact an experienced attorney, so you are able to receive fair compensation.
Trucking companies often have higher insurance limits when compared to ordinary drivers, which increases the amount available for you to potentially recover. A knowledgeable and experienced attorney will recognize the necessity to obtain the trucking company’s insurance limits in order to maximize compensation.
If you have been injured as a result of a trucking accident, call us today at (314) 492-2380 or send an email, to schedule your free consultation.